Hi guys,
Well I'm all resettled and getting into the routine of elder-care. It's a rewarding experience- although I can see how people who do it for a living would burn out. It's different with a parent. It's demanding and tiring but in my case rewarding.
Anyhow..... Since I do not have the ability to do videos at the moment, I'm (gulp) going to write a few reviews.
It's official I'm a mod junkie. I hate the word "junkie".... but it fits. I currently own these: GGTS with AVS, GLV2 Mini, KVS 510n, Goldmine, KVS Triple V, Empire mod with Drip Shield, Boge Revolution V2, and a Provari.
Out of that modest list there are two clunkers (for me):
1. Revolution V2:
I actually like vaping this. But Boge's business practices and misleading information about battery capacity at launch really got under my skin. Also, the 510 connection doesn't work with all 510 attied/cartos.
2. The GGTS w AVS:
My commentary on this may be outdated since there have been revisions to the product. However this was a clunker for me. First off, the AVS really only works well at higher voltages. Which kinda kills it for me because I like lower voltage vaping. On an 18650 battery, it is an anemic vape with a standard atomizer. At the time I purchased it I had only been vaping for 5 months, so I did not have enough background to make a good choice. That part is my fault.
The second problem is not my fault. The aluminum used (back in October 2010) for the GGTS is really soft. So the threads can, and will, seize up and destroy themselves in dusty environments. So my GGTS eventually locked itself up and became useless in about a month of desert usage. Now in fairness, the new GGTS/UFS/iAtty line is stainless steel. I would expect far better results with the new revisions. And I've been looking around to get an iatty. So I think people should not be dissuaded from this product considering it's current revision. However be aware you are locked into 3.7v, 5v (NMH Battery), 6.v (2 X LiFP0 3.0v), or 7.4v (2 X CR123 3.7v). If those voltages hit your sweet spot- go for it.
And here's a short list of the winners (No order):
1. Provari:
The ability to fine tune your vaping experience is wonderful. the regulated nature of this unit means that your vaping is consistent from the beginning to the end of the battery's capacity. The added testing and monitoring features on this unit are icing on an already compelling cake. It's made of stainless steel. I've dropped the unit on concrete, and it left a dent in the concrete (not kidding). It is however expensive. Getting into one of these (if you need batteries) will push you over $200.00 for the base unit. Ad an extension cap and a couple of 18650s and it's more. But this is one of the good ones.
(Please note: I also put the Darwin and the Buzz Pro into the same category as the Provari. The differences between these units are really subjective personal taste issues considering the resulting vape is what matters. And all three seems to be outstanding.)
2. Empire Mod:
To be able to comment on this is a real blessing. My friends Dimitry and Jason knew money was tight tight for me, and made a gift of it to me. It's nice to have friends like that.
Anyway, this unit is wonderful. It telescopes a little like a GGTS, so any battery you can put in it just works. It's a 901 native connection- so you have to like 901 atties (I do) or use a 901 to (whatever) adapter. In some respects the battery tube portion of this mod is just as functional as the GGTS and can handle any of the batteries we use for vaping as long as they have a nipple. The workmanship is first rate, and you really have to see and hold one to see what I mean. Even the endcap with it's locking switch is an original design. The aluminum used in it's construction is apparently the hardest and most durable available. However a drop on cement is probably going to scratch it.
Which brings me to the Drip Shield. One of the innovations that Keith at Empire Mods created is the drip shield. This little innovation is pure genius. 901 atties have the unfortunate tendency to leak out their side vent hole when you use them for dripping. The drip shield soolves that problem and turns a liability into a miniature juice feed system. excess juice goes out of the atomizer and into the drip shield (Which is sealed by O rings). As you vape the excess is sucked back into the atomizer, thus minimizing the frequency of dripping, and allowing huge amounts of juice to be dripped at one time (I can drip 1 drops into a dry atty).
This is a deceptively good mod. Give it due consideration if you like 901 vaping.
The conclusion:
So there's some commentary on the wins and not-so-wins in my vaping arsenal. As a aide note: I use all my mods, except the GGTS which needs a part replacement. They all have their place.
As we get through the next 90 days I'm considering purchasing a Buzz Pro (which I expect to Vape as well as a Provari), The VVPV (Also from Notcigs), and some of the variable voltage eGo form factor batteries. Also looking at trying to get an iAtty.
I will also being doing a review of standard eGo batteries in the coming weeks by going back to eGo batteries exclusively, and see how that goes.
Thanks to everyone who has lent support to me through the last two months which were very stressful. Now that the moving and drama has cooled off: I'm getting back to where I left off.
Best regards,
Michael
Well I'm all resettled and getting into the routine of elder-care. It's a rewarding experience- although I can see how people who do it for a living would burn out. It's different with a parent. It's demanding and tiring but in my case rewarding.
Anyhow..... Since I do not have the ability to do videos at the moment, I'm (gulp) going to write a few reviews.
It's official I'm a mod junkie. I hate the word "junkie".... but it fits. I currently own these: GGTS with AVS, GLV2 Mini, KVS 510n, Goldmine, KVS Triple V, Empire mod with Drip Shield, Boge Revolution V2, and a Provari.
Out of that modest list there are two clunkers (for me):
1. Revolution V2:
I actually like vaping this. But Boge's business practices and misleading information about battery capacity at launch really got under my skin. Also, the 510 connection doesn't work with all 510 attied/cartos.
2. The GGTS w AVS:
My commentary on this may be outdated since there have been revisions to the product. However this was a clunker for me. First off, the AVS really only works well at higher voltages. Which kinda kills it for me because I like lower voltage vaping. On an 18650 battery, it is an anemic vape with a standard atomizer. At the time I purchased it I had only been vaping for 5 months, so I did not have enough background to make a good choice. That part is my fault.
The second problem is not my fault. The aluminum used (back in October 2010) for the GGTS is really soft. So the threads can, and will, seize up and destroy themselves in dusty environments. So my GGTS eventually locked itself up and became useless in about a month of desert usage. Now in fairness, the new GGTS/UFS/iAtty line is stainless steel. I would expect far better results with the new revisions. And I've been looking around to get an iatty. So I think people should not be dissuaded from this product considering it's current revision. However be aware you are locked into 3.7v, 5v (NMH Battery), 6.v (2 X LiFP0 3.0v), or 7.4v (2 X CR123 3.7v). If those voltages hit your sweet spot- go for it.
And here's a short list of the winners (No order):
1. Provari:
The ability to fine tune your vaping experience is wonderful. the regulated nature of this unit means that your vaping is consistent from the beginning to the end of the battery's capacity. The added testing and monitoring features on this unit are icing on an already compelling cake. It's made of stainless steel. I've dropped the unit on concrete, and it left a dent in the concrete (not kidding). It is however expensive. Getting into one of these (if you need batteries) will push you over $200.00 for the base unit. Ad an extension cap and a couple of 18650s and it's more. But this is one of the good ones.
(Please note: I also put the Darwin and the Buzz Pro into the same category as the Provari. The differences between these units are really subjective personal taste issues considering the resulting vape is what matters. And all three seems to be outstanding.)
2. Empire Mod:
To be able to comment on this is a real blessing. My friends Dimitry and Jason knew money was tight tight for me, and made a gift of it to me. It's nice to have friends like that.
Anyway, this unit is wonderful. It telescopes a little like a GGTS, so any battery you can put in it just works. It's a 901 native connection- so you have to like 901 atties (I do) or use a 901 to (whatever) adapter. In some respects the battery tube portion of this mod is just as functional as the GGTS and can handle any of the batteries we use for vaping as long as they have a nipple. The workmanship is first rate, and you really have to see and hold one to see what I mean. Even the endcap with it's locking switch is an original design. The aluminum used in it's construction is apparently the hardest and most durable available. However a drop on cement is probably going to scratch it.
Which brings me to the Drip Shield. One of the innovations that Keith at Empire Mods created is the drip shield. This little innovation is pure genius. 901 atties have the unfortunate tendency to leak out their side vent hole when you use them for dripping. The drip shield soolves that problem and turns a liability into a miniature juice feed system. excess juice goes out of the atomizer and into the drip shield (Which is sealed by O rings). As you vape the excess is sucked back into the atomizer, thus minimizing the frequency of dripping, and allowing huge amounts of juice to be dripped at one time (I can drip 1 drops into a dry atty).
This is a deceptively good mod. Give it due consideration if you like 901 vaping.
The conclusion:
So there's some commentary on the wins and not-so-wins in my vaping arsenal. As a aide note: I use all my mods, except the GGTS which needs a part replacement. They all have their place.
As we get through the next 90 days I'm considering purchasing a Buzz Pro (which I expect to Vape as well as a Provari), The VVPV (Also from Notcigs), and some of the variable voltage eGo form factor batteries. Also looking at trying to get an iAtty.
I will also being doing a review of standard eGo batteries in the coming weeks by going back to eGo batteries exclusively, and see how that goes.
Thanks to everyone who has lent support to me through the last two months which were very stressful. Now that the moving and drama has cooled off: I'm getting back to where I left off.
Best regards,
Michael
